photo credits @ UCI
– What happened? –
Round one of the 2017 UCI Para-cycling Road World Cup in Maniago, Italy, saw some new faces put the pressure on established athletes who are nevertheless still very much on form after last year’s Paralympic Games in Rio, Brazil.
France’s Quentin Aubague (T1), two-time Rio 2016 Paralympic Champion, was one of the familiar faces gracing the podium in Italy, after dominating the time trial and road race at the weekend. Italy’s Luca Mazzone (H2), gold medallist in the Rio 2016 Paralympics time trial, also earned two golds this weekend.
Ireland’s Katie-George Dunlevy (B) and the Netherlands’ Alyda Norbruis (C2) – both reigning time trial Paralympic Champions – each won their events this weekend.
Team the Netherlands earned a total of nine gold medals, including double victories for Jetze Plat (H4) and Tim De Vries (H5).
The most medals overall went to Italy (19) followed by Germany (15). The Netherlands and the USA were close behind with 14 medals each.
– What’s Next? –
UCI Para-cycling Road World Cup #2, May 18 – 21, Ostende (Belgium).
– What you should know about… Paolo Cecchetto –
Italian para-cyclist Paolo Cecchetto, who will celebrate his 50th birthday this July, is one of para-cycling’s most experienced athletes. Paraplegic since a motorcycle accident in his early twenties the former para-athletics specialist – which he practiced for about 12 years – discovered hand-cycling when competing in a marathon.
Racing in the H3 category since 2000, the Legnano native claimed gold in the road race at the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games, and has won numerous stages of the Giro d’Italia Handbike. In Maniago this weekend, he won a silver medal in the time trial and gold in the road race.
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